Vacuum squeegee



Sept. 15, 1970 Filed April 4, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 United States Patent O ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A vacuum squeegee for use in a film strip developing apparatus, the squeegee including pairs of laterally opposed flexible wiper blades between which the normally vertically moving strip is threaded for wiping engagement of said blades with opposite surfaces of the film strip, said pairs of blades being spaced from each other in the direction of movement of the film strip and disposed in such relation to a vacuum chamber that the film strip moving between said spaced pairs of blades moves through said vacuum chamber. The vacuum squeegee comprises a body part fixed to a wall of the developing apparatus at one edgewise side of the film strip having a vacuum passage connected to a vacuum or suction source, and a blade holder and vacuum chamber part having a plug portion for insertion in a socket end portion of the vacuum passage of the body part, said plug portion having a slot opening to its outer end and connected at its inner end with said vacuum chamber and the film strip receiving spaces between said pairs of wiper blades so that said blade holder and vacuum charnber part may be readily connected to or disconnected from said body part by allowing said yfilm strip to pass freely through said slot during said connecting or disconnecting operation for the purpose of permitting the rapid and convenient threading of the film strip between the blades, and/or the adjustment of the film engaging pressure of said Iwiper blades upon the surfaces of the film strip, without excessive handling of the film or disturbing its normal movement through the developing apparatus.

FIELD OF THE. INVENTION The present invention relates to a vacuum squeegee particularly for use in motion picture film developing apparatus, for the purpose of removing moisture from the film as it moves between a succession of processing tanks containing developing solutions, and particularly as it comes out of a lwash tank where it is desirable that all traces of moisture, as well as dust and the like, be completely and uniformly removed from the film surfaces before proceeding to the next processing step.

THE PRIOR ART Air squeegees are known in which the film is threaded between a pair of spaced squeegee bodies usually in the form of two symmetrical halves forming the squeegee unit, and which are provided with air jet means from which high pressure jets of air are impinged upon the opposite surfaces of the lm to thus forceably blow the moisture therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is proposed in the present invention to provide a vacuum squeegee having pairs of opposed flexible wiper blades spaced apart in the direction of movement of the film and which engage the film under relatively light ice springy pressure to remove excess moisture therefrom, and in which the film moves through a vacuum chamber in communication with a vacuum or suction source in its transition between the pairs of Wiper blades to completely and uniformly draw moisture, dust and the like from the opposite surfaces of the film in contradistinction to the known air squeegee where the moisture is removed by the impinging of high pressure jets of air upon the film surfaces, the present vacuum squeegee having the advantage over the air squeegee of less likelihood of distorting or effecting the photographic image contained in the film emulsion carried upon the film.

It is desirable in film developing apparatus, for the purpose of splicing broken film, rethreading the lm and/ or adjusting its position in the apparatus, as well as for the purpose of cleaning or adjusting the squeegee blades, to provide a squeegee which may be quickly and conveniently disengaged from or re-engaged in its operative relationship with the film', 'without excessive handling of the `film or disturbing its normal movement through the apparatus, and it is a further object of the invention to provide a vacuum squeegee Which will effectually accomplish these purposes.

A further object is to provide a vacuum squeegee of simple and inexpensive construction formed for the most part of non-corrosive material, for example, rigid PVC plastic material (polyvinyl chloride), which lends itself to convenient moulding procedures and precision machining or finishing operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view partially in Vertical section and partially in front elevation showing the squeegee according to the invention in its relation to the film strip following manual disengagement of the blade holder and vacuum chamber part of the squeegee from the body part thereof;

FIG. 2 is a view partially in horizontal section and partially in top plan taken along line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the body part of the squeegee taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation of the blade holder and vacuum chamber part of the squeegee taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the wiper blade members;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the squeegee in its normal operative relation to the film strip `with the blade holder and vacuum chamber part engaged with the body part;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 7 7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 8 8 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings the vacuum squeegee, according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated therein, comprises a body part 10 for rigid mounting upon a vertical tank wall 11 or other suitable part of the developing apparatus structure and a vacuum chamber and blade holder part 12 normally in engaged connection with the body part, as seen in FIGS. 6-8, with the vertically moving film strip 13 threaded through the vacuum chamber and blade holder part in edgewise aligned relation to the axis of the squeegee, the vertical portion of the film strip moving in relation to the squee gee between the laterally opposed pairs of wiper blades being guided between idler guide rollers 14 and 15 preferably in substantially close relation above and below the squeegee. While various widths of filmy strips may be accommodated by the squeegee of the invention, the lm strip is illustrated as a 16 mm. strip, and the illustrated squeegee is proportioned for this particular width of lm strip. Obviously it may be similarly proportioned to accommodate other particular Widths of the film strip, for example, 8 mm. and 35 mm. widths.

As illustrated in FIGS. l-4, the vacuum chamber and blade holder part 12 may be manually separated from the body part, and for this purpose yieldable detent retaining means are provided which enable rapid and convenient separation and reengagement of the parts.

The body part comprises an inner cylindrical portion 16 for disposition at the inner side of the tank wall 11 having a circular projecting flange 17 for engagement with the inner side of the wall in surrounding relation to a circular mounting opening 18 in the wall, an intermediate reduced diameter cylindrical portion 19 disposed within the opening 18, and an outer further reduced diameter cylindrical nozzle portion 20 having annular hose retaining grooves 21 in its outer surface, and upon which there is engaged and retained an end of a hose 22 extending to a suitable vacuum and suction source. The body part is secured to the wall 11 by bolts 23-423 engaged through holes 24-24 in the flange 17 aligned with holes 25-25 in the wall 11 and retained by nuts 26-26 and washers 27-27 disposed at the outer side of the wall 11.

A cylindrical vacuum passage 28 in communication at its outer end with the hose 22 extends through the nozzle portion 20 and opens t0 an enlarged cylindrical pocket 29 extending through the inner portion 16 and opening to the inner side thereof.

A resilient gasket ring 30 having an inner dia-meter corresponding to the diameter of the pocket 29 is cemented or otherwise suitably secured to the inner face of body portion 16 for the purpose of establishing a seal with the vacuum chamber and blade holder part 12 in the operative connected relation of the parts. An aligning pin 31 for engagement with a complementary aligning socket in the part 12 is mounted in the body portion 16 and is projected therefrom through and from the sealing gasket, as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

At diametrically opposite sides of the pocket 29 the body portion 16 is provided with externally threaded ball detent units 32-32 screwed into threaded passages 33-33 in the portion 16 with their spring-loaded ball ends normally projected into the pocket 29 for snap retaining engagement with the vacuum chamber and blade holder part 12, as will presently more fully appear.

The vacuum chamber and blade holder part 12 comprises an outer hand grip knob portion 34, an intermediate blade holder portion 35, and an inner plug portion 36. The knob portion 34 is preferably cylindrical and knurled upon its outer surface, and its diameter substantially corresponds to the diameter of the inner portion 16 of the body member.

The intermedia-te blade holder portion 35 is provided with cylindrical outer side surfaces 37-3-7, which form a forward continuation of the cylindrical surface of the knob portion 34, and with horizontal planar upper and lower surfaces 38 and 39, which extend forwardly in right angular relationship from the forward vertical surface 40 of the knob portion.

The plug portion 36 has a cylindrical outer surface of a substantially corresponding diameter to the diameter of the pocket 29 of the body part to have a snug sliding t therein, and is provided at its forward end with a tapered pilot portion 36a which guides and facilitates the insertion of the plug portion in the pocket 29, rwhile connecting the two parts of the squeegee together. Adjacent the forward vertical surface 41 of the intermediate portion, which opposes and is adapted to engage the resilient gasket 30, the plug portion is provided with an annular -groove 42 into which the inner edge of the gasket expands in its compressed sealing relation, as shown in FIG. 8, to insure an effective sealed relationship between the parts. A cylindrical vacuum chamber 43 extends from the forward end of the plug portion through the plug portion, through the intermediate portion, and partially into the knob portion, as clearly shown in FIG. 8. The plug portion and the intermediate blade holder portion are bifurcated by means of vertically diametrically opposite slots `44 and 45 extending in the axial direction of the vacuum chamber 43 between the vertically diametrically opposed sides of the vacuum chamber and the upper and lower sides of the plug portion and the intermediate blade holder portion. At each side of the slots the plug portion is provided with narrow flattened surfaces 46-46 disposed in the same planes as the upper and lower planar surfaces 38 and 39 of the intermediate portion and which in effect constitute continuations of these planar surfaces.

The width ofthe slots 44 and 45 is substantially greater than the thickness of the film strip so that they provide a free space extending to the forward free end of the plug portion in which the film strip may move freely Without contact with the squeegee sur-faces during disengagement or re-engagement of the vacuum and blade holder part with respect to the body part, as clearly shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 4.

Pairs of wiper blades 47 are respectively mounted upon the upper and lower planar surfaces of the intermediate portion 35. These blades are preferably formed of soft, flexible material, for example, silicone or gum rubber, are of generally rectangular Wafer-like form, as shown in FIG. 5, and are provided along one longitudinal edge with a highly flexible marginal portion 48, beveled at its upper and lower surfaces to a feathered point edge. A pair of elongated mounting holes 49-49 is provided in the blade in spaced relation to the marginal portion 48. The respective pairs of blades are mounted upon the planar surfaces 38 and 39 with the thin, feathered edges of the blades of each pair directly opposed to each other and so spaced as to permit the passa-ge between them of the film strip with a slight resilient wiping pressure of the blades upon each side thereof, the spacing and pressure of the blades adapted to be controlled and varied as desired through lateral adjustment relative to each other, as will presently more fully appear.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the blades are secured in place by means of a pair of vertically disposed screw studs 50-50 extending through passages 51-51 in the intermediate portion 35 at each side of the vacuum chamber 43 and projected upwardly and downwardly with respect to the upper and lower planar surfaces 38 and 39 where they extend through the elongated holes 49' of the blades and through registering holes 52 provided in pairs of pressure pla-tes 53 engaged with the blades over a substantial area thereof for the purpose of pressing them firmly and evenly against the planar surfaces 38 and 39 to thus positively retain them in their adjusted relation.

Knurled cap nuts 54 are screwed upon the projected ends of the studs 50 and bear upon the pressure plates 53 to thus evenly distribute the pressure of the cap nuts upon the blades. Loosening of the cap nuts permits the ready lateral adjustment of the blades into their desired contacting relation with the film strip. The threaded studs 50 are fixed in position by means of set screws 55 screwed into horizontal threaded passages 56 extending inwardly from the outer sides of the intermediate portion to the vertical screw plug passages 51.

At diametrically opposed sides, the plug portion is provided with detent recesses 57-57, so positioned as t0 receive the spring-loaded ball ends of the detent units 32 of the body part in the engaged connected position of the parts, as shown in FIG. 8. An aligning socket 58 extends inwardly into the intermediate portion from its vertical forward face 41 and is located to receive the aligning pin 31 of the body part in the connected relation of the parts, to thus insure the proper orientation of the squeegee relatively to the film strip and to guide the initial axial disengaging or engaging movement of the vacuum chamber and blade holder part relatively to the body part.

The operation of the vacuum squeegee is as follows. Assuming the vacuum chamber and blade holder part 12 has been disconnected from the fixed body part and is hand gripped by the operator preparatory to reconnecting it to the body part in operative relation with the film strip. As clearly shown in FIGS. l and 2, the part 12 is first brought into substantially axially aligned relation with the body part 10 with the film strip 13 disposed in free non-contacting relation Within the slots 44 and 45 in the plug portion 36, whereupon the plug portion is inserted in the pocket 29 of the body part where it is retained by the snap engagement of the spring-loaded balls of the detent units 32, while at the same time the film strip is positioned between the wiper blades 46 as shown in FIGS. 6-8 in substantially centralized position between the ends of the blades with its edges spaced from the ends of the blades, so that air slots are provided between the blades at each side of the film strip, as clearly shown in FIG. 8. In this position the portion of the film strip disposed between the vertically spaced pairs of wiper blades is in substantially centralized relation in the vacuum chamber 43 and in the slots 44 and 45 along the vertically diametrically opposed sides of the vacuum chamber. As a result of the vacuum or suction produced in the vacuum chamber through its connection with the hose 22 through the passage 28 of the body part a pressure differential is created as between the vacuum chamber and the atmosphere, and by virtue of the tapered marginal portions of the wiper blades disposed at opposite sides of the film strip a venturi effect is produced causing a high velocity air flow between the blades and the surfaces of the film strip and also through the slots provided between the blades outwardly of the edges of the film strip. The high velocity air passing between the blades and the film strip forms air cushions at each side of the film strip which may be varied as desired depending upon the spacing of the wiper blades and the degree of pressure engagement thereof with the surfaces of the film strip. Moisture, dust and the like is therefore completely, uniformly and rapidly removed from the film strip with a minimum likelihood of damage thereto through abrasive contact of the squeegee with the film surfaces. The part 12 may be readily disconnected from the body part 10 simply by gripping the knob p0rtion 34 and exerting axial outward force thereon to disengage the retaining detent means, the film strip at the same time being kept out of contact with the squee-gee through its free disposition within the slots -44 and 45, as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This disconnecting operation and the subsequent reconnecting operation may thus be performed without disturbing the normal movement of the film strip through the processing apparatus.

While the objects of the invention are efiieiently achieved by the preferred forms of the invention described in the foregoing specification, the invention also includes changes and variations falling within and between the definitions of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A vacuum squeegee for removing moisture from a motion picture film strip moving through a processing apparatus, comprising:

(A) a first body part for rigid mounting on the apparatus structure with one end in edgewise opposed relation to the film strip and having:

(a) a vacuum passage for connection to a vacuum or suction source, and

(b) a pocket in communication with said vacuum passage and opening to said one end of said 6 first part in edgewise opposed relation to said film strip,

(B) a second vacuum chamber and blade holder part removably connected to said first part having (a) a plug portion at one end for insertion in said pocket of said first part and having a vacuum passage in communication with said vacuum passage of said first part,

(b) a vacuum chamber in communication through said vacuum passage of said plug portion with said vacuum passage of said first part,

(c) film strip receiving slot openings at the sides of said vacuum chamber opposite to each other in the direction of movement of said film strip extending to and opening through the free end of said plug portion, lwhereby the lfilm strip moves through said vacuum chamber in its transition between said slot openings, and whereby insertion and removal of said plug portion of said second part relatively to said pocket of said first part and said film strip relatively to vacuum chamber of said second part is effected through movement of said film strip into and out of said slot openings through their open ends at the free end of said plug portion, and

(d) pairs of wiper blades carried by said second part, the blades of said respective pairs of blades belng respectively disposed at laterally opposite sides of said respective slot openings for engagement with the opposite surfaces of the film strip moving through said slot openings.

2. A vacuum squeegee as defined in claim 1, further characterized by resilient detent means for releasably retaining said plug portion in said pocket.

3. A vacuum squeegee as defined in claim 1, further characterized by a guide pin carried by one part and a guide socket in the other part engageable by said guide pin in the connected relation of said parts.

4. A vacuum squeegee as defined in claim 1, wherein said plug portion is tapered at its pocket entering end for guiding it into said pocket.-

5. A vacuum squeegee as defined in claim 1, further characterized by a sealing gasket for interposition between said parts in surrounding relation to said plug portion in the connected relation of said parts.

6. A vacuum squeegee as defined in claim 1, wherein said second part includes a hand grip knob portion at its opposite end from said plug portion, and a blade holder portion intermediate said knob portion and said plug portion.

7. A vacuum squeegee as defined in claim 1, wherein said first part includes a cylindrical inner portion for disposition at one side of a wall of said apparatus structure in edgewise opposed relation to said film strip and wherein said wall has a mounting opening therein, a reduced diameter intermediate portion for disposition within said opening, a further reduced diameter nozzle portion for connection to a vacuum hose, an annular fiange projecting from said cylindrical portion for engaging said wall in surrounding relation to said circular opening, and means for securing said flange to said wall.

8. A vacuum squeegee as defined in claim 1, wherein said second part includes planar surfaces at laterally opposite sides of said slot openings upon which said blades of said pairs of wiper blades are supported for lateral adjustment relatively to the film strip.

9. A vacuum squeegee as defined in claim 8, further characterized by pressure plates engaged with said blades to retain and press them against said planar surfaces.

10. A vacuum squeegee defined in claim 9, further characterized by screw studs carried by said second part extending through said wiper blades and said pressure plates, and cap nuts engaged upon said screw studs for adjustable pressure engagement with said pressure plates.

11. A vacuum squeegee as defined in claim 1, wherein said blades of each pair of wiper blades have opposed References Cited marginal portions tapered to point edges disposed at op- UNITED STATES PATENTS posite sides of said lm strip to provide convergent entrance formations whereby a venturi effect is created 1,237,047 8/1917 Howellto accelerate the passage of air between the wiper blades 5 FOREIGN PATENTS lrrtlgrlm strip from the atmosphere to said vacuum 1,048,148 12/1958 Germany 12. A vacuum squeegee as defined in claim 11, wherein said Wiper blades extend outwardly beyond the edges of ROBERT W' MICHELL Primary Exammer the lm strip moving between said wiper blades whereby 10 U S C1. X'R. air slotsare provided between said wiper blades out- 15 100 wardly of the edges of said lm strip. 

